There are always justifications not to travel: Busy schedule, fear of flying to dangerous countries and most of all, limited budget! If you’re going to listen to those resounding reasons, you’ll probably not going to make traveling on your list. And chances are you’ll end up with regrets.

One of the most heard excuses for not traveling is to wait until when there’s more money, but this is an ill-advice for some. Karl Pillemer, a Gerontologist, interviewed elderly respondents and putting off traveling is one of the most commonly shared regrets. This too, was backed up by a separate research conducted by the British Heart Foundation where participants were asked to list down the things they wanted to do the most in life, it appeared that traveling the world and living abroad dominated the answers. According to blog.homeaway.sg, making the most of your time is worth the time.

While it’s true that our hard-earned money over the years is so precious, and that it represents our efforts, money itself is just a medium of exchange and of isn’t any value. Truth be told, it is living that actually means something.

It’s about saving up for tomorrow while also creating an exciting way to live and enjoy an enriching life today. Discipline in handling our finances drives our monetary goals but enjoying ourselves with our loved ones is the truest reward we aspire. We want it all, the finances to maintain the lifestyle we desire for the future and the kind of life we want to live now—while we still can, while we are still young, because we all know we won’t be forever.

A vacation isn’t solely about “traveling,” it can mean more than that. It represents time for yourself and with the people you love the most. It’s a bunch of selfies and hilarious shots you take that you can look back on and smile about. It records a memory where nothing else mattered (not even Facebook) in this world but you and your loved ones. It’s straightforward to say waiting to grow old before making that happen is not recommended because by then, it might be too late. You have your health now. With frugal discipline, affordable travel options are possible.

One day, you’ll look back and ask yourself if you made the most of your time on this Earth. When you do, you want to make sure it’s a resounding yes! More than exploring and experiencing something you’ve never had before, it’s about the time that you will never take back.

Refuse to apologize for the money you spare for traveling and for not waiting years to encounter the world firsthand. If you focus too much on saving more money, you might look back and realize you had never truly lived.

Your heart starts beating faster, your body temperature rises, tears are slowly gathering in your eyes, and the stories in your mind are getting out of hand—as though you’re about to see your life and dreams all crashing down under you.

Sometimes, when loneliness takes over, for whatever reason, it can make anyone feel powerless—except that isn’t true. It’s normal and human to feel like this but we are the owners of this feeling, and we have the power to will it away.

When days get a little rough, may these simple and real life reminders comfort you:

1. This too shall pass, and faster if I don’t resist it
It is a wave that you must allow to hit you—ride the current and let it take you somewhere for a little while until it passes. Going against the tide will prolong your struggle; strong waves will eventually spit you out so just go where the flow is and it is going to be alright.

2. Your thoughts hurt you when you allow them to
Thoughts are only what they seem. They do not bear meanings unless you let them. When they visit your head, allow them to come in and go out, but do not fuel them nor make them stay. They are not necessarily your reality and often times, they do not represent it. You have to assert power over them.

3. There is no need for you to have everything figured out right now
You don’t need to figure out everything you are supposed to do or not in your life in one sitting. Take one day at a time, breathe, calm your mind and heart, and then you can make clearer, better decisions. Remember that life is a marathon and not a sprint.

4. Your time will come and never doubt that even for a second
The right circumstances will never skip the person whom they are meant for. You may be struggling about achieving your dreams or due to other things right now, but every person in this world has his own time to shine, you just have to believe your own.

5. You will get out of this and this can make you braver
What pains you is what can actually strengthen you. You can manage whatever happens, it does not matter how many times it hit you, what matters is the fact you choose to stand up every single time—and that is bravery. Remind yourself that you are way stronger now than what you were before.

6. A lot more things are going right
Notice the little things that are going right for you. You are safe, someone loves you, you are not hungry, you are not homeless, and you have a job. Keep this going until you feel the anxiety and tension leaving. As Goh Keng Swee says, to avoid wrong things is to do nothing at all, and that is the ultimate wrong act. Slowly but surely, you can clean up your mind from unwanted thoughts. Count your blessings.

While a paintbrush can be your best friend when it comes to transferring paint from the palette to the canvas, it can be very easy to ruin it if you’re not careful. And because a good one is expensive to replace, you need to be able to take care of it to make it last you a long time.

Fortunately, taking care of your paintbrushes are easy to do, and here’s how you can keep them around for a long time in three easy steps:

1. Do not let acrylic paint dry on a paintbrush.
If there is one thing that you need to know when it comes to keeping your brushes in good condition, it’s that acrylic paint dries very quickly. As much as possible, always keep the brush wet or moist.

Another part of the brush that should not have dried paint on it is the ferrule (the metal part of the brush connecting the bristles to the handle), as it can also result in the brush hairs spreading apart and looking more frayed.

If you’re not planning on using the brush afterwards, wash the paint off and dry the paintbrush on a piece of clean cloth or paper before setting it aside handle-first. This way, you avoid resting weight on the bristles and prevent them from fraying.

2. Don’t leave your paintbrush bristles-first in water.
Because the paintbrush’s weight will be resting on the wet bristles, this pressure combined with the softness of the bristles can result in the latter fraying or getting worn out faster. Even if the hairs don’t bend because the bristles are stiff, the hairs will still spread out and fray the brush, which will make it less effective than before it was left in water.

If you have to switch between brushes in the middle of painting, place the brush you’re not-using on standby in a way that the brush is touching neither the palette nor the tabletop, and the weight of the brush will never rest on the bristles.

For instance, you could lay it flat on the table, or use a brush holder to keep it in place if you don’t like having paint smears all over your workspace. You could even simply just leave it upright handle-first.

3. Don’t throw away ruined brushes!
While this may sound counter-intuitive at first, a ruined or frayed brush can still be useful to you in ways that you don’t expect.

Crusty or frayed brushes, especially if they happen to be expensive ones, can still be used to apply paint on the canvas in a rougher and more expressionistic way, which can be great if you’re planning on doing abstract art. The key is to know how to use them well.

There are many scenic spots in Singapore, but there’s nothing quite like just enjoying your day by the water. There are many things you can do in one of Singapore’s many coastal parks; you can bring a picnic, do some light reading, listen to tunes, or just be with your friends and family. Some parks even offer their own attractions, so there’s always something for you to do. However, with all the coastal parks in Singapore to go to, how do you choose? Here is a short list of coastal parks in Singapore where you can spend a fun-filled time.

1. East Coast Park
We begin our list with the popular East Coast Park. It’s not hard to see why the East Coast Park is well-known; there are many things you can do in this 15km stretch of scenic beaches, so there’s always something for everyone. For those whose idea of fun is in the water, there are a lot of water sports that are available, like cable skiing. For those who would rather stay dry on land, cyclists and rollerbladers can be found in flocks here in East Coast Park. For extreme thrill-seekers, why not try finding your fix at the Xtreme SkatePark?

If you’d rather have something more on the peaceful, tranquil side, you could just stay in one of the many cafes or restaurants located inside the park. You can even a bring your food and drinks out to the beach, so you could chow down while basking in the sun.

2. Labrador Park
For those whose idea of fun involves learning about history and nature, then Labrador Park is perfect for you. There are many historical and natural artifacts found here in Labrador Park, some of them even dating as far back as the Second World War, including an old British Fort called Fort Pasir Panjang.
Nature lovers will also love Labrador Park, with the different species of wildlife that can be found. While you’re there, you can birdwatch for a large variety of bird species, or cook your own dinner on one of the park’s barbeque pits.

3. Pasir Ris Park
If you’re in the mood for something quieter, Pasir Ris Park is the park for you. With all the different activities that you can do in Pasir Ris, this 6km long park is great for a family outing. For example, children can enjoy themselves in the playground where they can spend their time on swings, slides, and a mini maze. Aside from their playground, Pasir Ris also has a mangrove, stables, and a garden. For families who are the real outdoorsy type, you could even go camping in Pasir Ris, provided you acquire a camping permit beforehand.

Make sure that you always look your best with these grooming kit essentials that you should carry in your bag wherever you are.

1. Nail Essentials
Don’t forget to bring a small kit that contains all the necessary items for emergency manicure and pedicure. You can buy a set that comes with tiny pouch at health and beauty shops which includes the following items: compact nail clippers and nail nipper for cutting nails, nail file to smoothen and file nails, tweezers for pulling out hair and nail splinters, cuticle scissors or cuticle nipper, and nail cleaner.

2. Epilator
When you don’t have time to get waxed or sugared, and shaving isn’t an option for you, you should always take an epilator if you travel a lot. It’s a convenient item for removing hair from any part of the body, including the face, bikini area, and armpits.

3. Toiletries
Always bring small packs of toiletries wherever you go because you never know when you need them. You can purchase compact versions at shops that include the following essentials: toothbrush and toothpaste, floss, shampoo and conditioner, bar of soap or shower gel, deodorant, washcloth, cotton pads, Q-tips, facial cleanser, tissue or moist towelettes, and sanitary pads.

4. Skin and Hair Products
Besides a pack of essential toiletries, you should always take essential skin and hair products and items to always look your best no matter where you go. Don’t forget to pack the following before you go out: comb or brush, compact mirror, lotion, facial moisturizer, sunscreen, lip balm, hand cream, gel or leave-in conditioner, oil spray, body spray or perfume, and hair clips or hair tie.

5. Makeup Kit
Lastly, you should always take a compact makeup kit that contains all the essentials for retouching your makeup. You never know when you need to spend more hours at work or when you get invited to dinner after spending the whole day at the office. Every woman should bring the following makeup essentials in her bag: foundation, pressed powder, concealer, eyeshadow, eyeliner, eyebrow pencil, mascara, eyelash curler, lip gloss, lipstick, and blush or bronzer. You should also take a makeup remover, facial wash and moisturizer, eye gel, and exfoliator in case you need to remove your makeup.

You don’t need to lug around a large bag to pack all of these. You can find small and compact grooming kits or travel kits that will fit easily in your bag that includes most of these grooming essentials.

Are you looking for books to introduce your child to the fantasy genre? These are the best titles for children aged 12 years and below.

1. Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
The book introduces the character Peter Pan, a naughty young boy who doesn’t want to grow up and spends most of his time in Neverland with friends and other supernatural creatures.

2. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
The first book in the series introduces a young wizard who didn’t know he was famous for beating a dark wizard until he was invited to attend a wizarding school.

3. The Hobbit, or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien
Before introducing your child to The Lord of the Rings series, you should let him/her read this first because the story is a lot easier to follow. It tells of the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, and thirteen dwarves.

4. A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
The novel introduces the young wizard Ged who gets into trouble after a conflict in the wizarding school because of a spell that backfired.

5. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
The novel will take your child into the cold land of Narnia, a kingdom that is full of mythical creatures and is ruled by a White Witch.

6. The Sword in the Stone by T.H. White
Part of the series of books about King Arthur, this novel covers the childhood years of the mythical king when he was taught by Merlyn in the art of becoming a prince and in the use of magic.

7. Northern Lights or The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
The first book of the series introduces the parallel universe where Lyra Belacqua journeys in search of a missing friend and an uncle, whose experiments with an unknown substance resulted in a strange accident.

8. Un Lun Dun by China Mieville
Zanna and Deeba are suspecting that some strange mystery has been affecting them, especially after they found a way into UnLondon, a mirror version of London.

9. The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
Part of a series of novels and short stories in The Chronicles of Prydain, it introduces one of fantasy’s most iconic characters named Taran, a pig keeper who wants to be a hero.

10. Lord Brocktree by Brian Jacques
This is the first book of the Redwall series, which chronicles the history of Redwall and its famous anthropomorphic figures.

11. The Knight of the Swords by Michael Moorcock
The first book in the Corum series, it begins with an introduction to of the gods that destroyed old races and who were destroyed themselves because of their desire to rewrite history. It was a time when heroes such as Prince Corum would thrive.

12. The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
It is the first novel in the Ranger’s Apprentice series that spans a total of 12 books, perfect for youngsters looking for a longer fantasy series.